Auckland Sep.27th 59 My dear McLean, Rogan tells me he has written you, so I doubt not you will be in possession of all the news which I could give you had I time for writing which is not the case - We have had so many official letters to get ready for this mail and other matters which could not be postponed that I find myself here in the office alone at nearly 6 P.M. and the mail closing tomorrow at 10 A.M. I am sending you several officials - among them the one conveying Attorney General's opinion on the question submitted by you with reference to prosecutions under the Nat.L.P. Ordinance I suppose this will put a stop to proceedings but it is better to abstain from interference than to fail. The Governor will I doubt not write to you by this mail - He has just sent off a most important despatch relating to Native Affairs in general and the Land question in particular - You ought to have been at head quarters -meanwhile, I hope I have not committed the department to any views which you will not be able to endorse FitzGerald told me when here that you expected to be in Auckland in two months from leaving Napier - I hope this will prove true - I am getting very much overburdened with work and for the past week or ten days have been far from well - I met your little Douglas this morning on my way to office walking with Mr. and Mrs.Kingdon - He looked remarkably well. Sanderson has, I suppose, written to you about your house - he is very anxious that you should make some arrangement to enable him to settle with the contractors, who have, I understand, completed their work satisfactorily - Yours sincerely Thos.H.Smith